slow heart rate - should I be concerned?

[Jafib53]

I developed hyperthyroidism last year and it caused AF. The AF was persistent for 5 months and then when the thyroid function got back to normal I went back into normal rhythm. At about that time I had also just started anti arrhythmic meds and I had already been on bisoprolol since the thyroid issues began. We weren’t sure whether the meds or the thyroid clearing up had got me back into normal rhythm and so the doctor cancelled a planned ablation and decided to try reducing my meds. I cut them down a few weeks ago and all has remained good. Doctor thinks I might be able to come off meds completely, but gradually. So, that is all good. However since my AF disappeared my hr is quite slow a lot if the time. Resting heart rate of about 50 although it is often in 60s and 70s as I go about my day. Right now as I type, it is 53.. It also falls to mid 40s when I sleep. Last night as I was watching tv I checked my heart rate and it was 43. I don’t feel bad with it and assumed it is just the combination of meds and perhaps just a naturally slowish rate, but have started to wonder if I should be worrying about it! I see the doc again in July with a view to reducing meds further, but wonder if I should try and bring that appointment forward. When I have had the ecg at the hospital my hr has been high 50s and I forgot to mention the drops to the 40s so doc currently doesn’t know it goes that low. Would you just wait it out till July?

[TopBiscuit]

To be fair, the HR numbers you're quoting are me without meds, but I feel okay with those numbers. I don't think it will do you any harm but there really doesn't seem like there's much point for you to be taking a medication that slows your HR (Bisoprolol) if your HR is running that low! Personally, I would discuss it with someone now, rather than waiting.

[Jafib53 in reply to TopBiscuit]

Thanks.. My heart rate was fast when the thyroid was playing up and I was on 3.75 of bisoprolol. I am now only on 1.25 but not sure if it is really helping me at this stage.

[mav7 in reply to Jafib53]

Doctor thinks I might be able to come off meds completely, but gradually.

Doctor is giving good advice to wean you off meds. May want to contact him prior to July and ask about a further dosage reduction.

If your heart rate rises with activity that is good. However, doctor should be aware. Do you know what your normal heart rate was prior to hyperthyroidism/afib ?

[Jafib53 in reply to mav7]

I’m not sure what hr was before but think it was quite low.

[KiwiBlake]

Hi JafibI'm 51 Yr male, ablation last September. I have hypotherydism (underactive) so am taking levothyroxine. Sitting on couch at home my HR is mid 50's. Sleeping it goes down to about 45-47. Walking around about 90bpm.

So very similar. Sitting on couch used to be 65 bpm, so it has dropped around 10. Not sure if it's because of the ablation (it did raise about 10bpm initially then after about 2 months dropped to its current levels.

I'm reasonably fit, do an active job (farm).

I feel fine, energy level good, HR doesn't worry me,

Cheers Blake

[Jafib53]

Thanks - that is good to know. I wouldn’t even know anything about heart rate if I didn’t check my Fitbit!

[secondtry]

I would just give your heart a bit more time to adjust. Nothing pressing.

[Jafib53 in reply to secondtry]

Thank you. Yes, if I felt breathless or dizzy I would seek reassurance / help quickly but I don’t have any symptoms. And my next appointment is early July so only a bit more than a month away!

[beardy_chris]

My cardiologist is fond of saying "Don't worry about the numbers, how do you feel?". If you feel okay, you probably are okay.

[CharliBearHeart]

Not always the case with silent killers where you feel fine then drop deadI think numbers are quite important.